EN234 Introduction to Fiction

for U1RR 2007

Mission Statement: The mission of Park University, an entrepreneurial institution of learning, is to provide access to academic excellence, which will prepare learners to think critically, communicate effectively and engage in lifelong learning while serving a global community.

Vision Statement: Park University will be a renowned international leader in providing innovative educational opportunities for learners within the global society.

Course

EN 234 Introduction to Fiction

Semester

U1RR 2007 MT

Faculty

Fish, Rachel Angelique

Title

Academic Director/English Instructor

Degrees/Certificates

BA in English Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityMA in Education with an emphasis on Literacy from Boise State University

Course Description: Close reading of selected works of English and American prose fiction, emphasizing the historical development of the novel and short story. 3:0:3

Educational Philosophy: No matter where people's interests in reading lie, being able to read and critically evaulate and interpret text is crucial to success in today's society. In order to facilitate students' critical thinking, I will enage students in classroom discussion and encourage them to consider varying opinions and styles of writing.

Learning Outcomes:Core Learning Outcomes

Identify the definitive features of fiction as a literary genre

Discuss a representative range of fictional texts

Articulate a response/ interpretation of a single text or body of related texts

Instructor Learning Outcomes

Students who complete EN234 will have an understanding of the history of the novel and short story.

Students who complete EN234 will be able to think critically about fiction.

Students who complete EN234 will know literary terms.

Students who complete EN234 will be able to evaluate and interpret fiction and the author

Core Assessment:

The Core Assessment for En 234 is a critical paper consisting of no fewer than 5-8 pages of original literary analysis using personal insights and primary and secondary sources. MLA documentation, including a Work Cited page, is also required. A minimum of 3 sources are required, and must include a range of types of sources, including online and traditional print sources. The core assessment must account for no less than 25 % of the final grade.

Class Assessment: Students' understanding of classroom texts will be assessed through quizzes composed of short answer and essay questions. Students' understanding and ability to reflect on classroom texts will be assessed through a final paper. A grading rubric for the final paper will be given to students in class.

Grading:

Class Participation 10%Quizzes 15% each (4 quizzes total)

Critical Paper Outline 5%

Critical Paper 25%

A=90-100

B=80-89C=70-79

D=60-69

F=50-59

Late Submission of Course Materials: If you must be absent, please call or email me as soon as possible. If you miss something, make arrangements with me to get your assignments in at the earliest possible time. If you miss assignments due to an unexcused absence, you will receive a grade of "zero."

Classroom Rules of Conduct: During classroom discussions, students are expected to treat each other with respect. Interruptions are to be kept minimal, and students are to enter the classroom with the understanding that everyone has a different interpretation and opinion and that no opinion is better than another. Students are to be careful while eating and drinking in the rooms and should throw away any trash they have before they leave.

Academic Honesty:Academic integrity is the foundation of the academic community. Because each student has the primary responsibility for being academically honest, students are advised to read and understand all sections of this policy relating to standards of conduct and academic life. Park University 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog Page 87-89

Plagiarism:Plagiarism involves the use of quotations without quotation marks, the use of quotations without indication of the source, the use of another's idea without acknowledging the source, the submission of a paper, laboratory report, project, or class assignment (any portion of such) prepared by another person, or incorrect paraphrasing. Park University 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog Page 87If anyone is caught plagiarizing, he/she will automatically fail the course.

The instructor may excuse absences for valid reasons, but missed work must be made up within the semester/term of enrollment.

Work missed through unexcused absences must also be made up within the semester/term of enrollment, but unexcused absences may carry further penalties.

In the event of two consecutive weeks of unexcused absences in a semester/term of enrollment, the student will be administratively withdrawn, resulting in a grade of "W".

A "Contract for Incomplete" will not be issued to a student who has unexcused or excessive absences recorded for a course.

Students receiving Military Tuition Assistance or Veterans Administration educational benefits must not exceed three unexcused absences in the semester/term of enrollment. Excessive absences will be reported to the appropriate agency and may result in a monetary penalty to the student.

Report of a "F" grade (attendance or academic) resulting from excessive absence for those students who are receiving financial assistance from agencies not mentioned in item 5 above will be reported to the appropriate agency.

Disability Guidelines:Park University is committed to meeting the needs of all students that meet the criteria for special assistance. These guidelines are designed to supply directions to students concerning the information necessary to accomplish this goal. It is Park University's policy to comply fully with federal and state law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, regarding students with disabilities. In the case of any inconsistency between these guidelines and federal and/or state law, the provisions of the law will apply. Additional information concerning Park University's policies and procedures related to disability can be found on the Park University web page: http://www.park.edu/disability .

Additional Information:

Park University requires that we make up any cancelled classes. In the unlikely event that class must be cancelled, we will have class on a Friday as agreed upon by the class.

Rubric

Competency

Exceeds Expectation (3)

Meets Expectation (2)

Does Not Meet Expectation (1)

No Evidence (0)

Evaluation Outcomes1,2,3

Provides well-chosen personal and critical insights into the literature through close reading that supports thesis.

Makes adequate personal and critical statements into the literature, through close reading, though sometimes strays from thesis.

Provides only plot summary or biographical information. Paper shows ittle or no evidence of close reading of literature.

Does not submit assignment or does not respond appropriately to assignment.

Synthesis Outcomes1,2,3

Integrates primary and secondary sources in original and perceptive ways, using MLA Documentation Style, that contribute innovative insights and new knowledge to the field, while retaining a personal voice.

Integrates primary and secondary sources adequately, using MLA Documentation, though insights are not particularly innovative or personal.

Integrates very little from primary/secondary sources, lacks control of MLA Documentation Style, and fails to bring new insights to the literature.

Does not submit assignment, or uses inadequate or no sources or no MLA documentation of sources.

Analysis Outcomes1,2,3

Provides convincing and insightful connections between texts to illustrate the main focus of the essay.

Provides connections between texts that are clear but mundane. Ideas sometimes stray from thesis.

Provides vague and under-developed connections between texts.

Does not submit assignment or provides no clear connections between texts.